New DNP Option to Create Leaders in Health Systems, Operational Excellence

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nursing Health Systems and Population Health Leadership concentration is the key to the future for BSN-prepared nurses looking to take on advanced roles across health care environments. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nursing Health Systems and Population Health Leadership concentration is the key to the future for BSN-prepared nurses looking to take on advanced roles across health care environments.

With a special emphasis on operational excellence, the new program offers a path to career advancement much like our existing DNP offerings in Nurse Anesthesia and for Post-MSN students. What sets this concentration apart, however, is a cutting-edge collaboration with the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis.

Students will build a strong foundation from a blend of classes in our DNP program, courses from our MSN concentration in Health Systems and Population Health, and WashU’s Health Care Operational Excellence program.

And they’ll be rewarded with a DNP from Goldfarb School of Nursing as well as a graduate certificate from McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University. Leroy Love, Program Director and Professor of Practice, Graduate Studies in Healthcare Operational Excellence, WU McKelvey School of Engineering, believes that the new DNP program will position nurses to excel when it comes to the future of effective, efficient and modern health care.

“Through the operational excellence courses students will learn how to design, lead, and manage continuous improvement initiatives that support efficiency, safety, quality, and patient experience in a rapidly changing healthcare environment,” Love said.

From the diversity of coursework to the final evidence-based project, graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Health System and Population Health Leadership concentration will be ready to serve as the next generation of leaders in a variety of health care settings.

“​Graduates of the BSN to DNP program are prepared to take on nursing leadership roles in health systems, community settings or teach in academic settings,” Dr. Deborah Birk, Program Director, Health Systems and Population Health Leadership, said. “For example, they can accept positions in nursing management, executive leadership or administrator roles as well as academic roles in colleges of nursing.”

Learn More

Visit the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Health System and Population Health Leadership concentration program page to explore the highlights, sample course sequence, and application requirements. For questions and more information, contact us anytime at [email protected] or call 1-800-832-9009.